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How much should cops be paid?

I just noticed that my arresting officer is paid $123,000 yearly. I thought this was way too much, but I'm sure many would disagree.

Given that law enforcement is the role of government, this issue is best decided by the taxpayers and not the market.

I believe cops should be generously paid, but not more than 100k a year. The arresting officer was a low-level grunt and not a supervisor or a lieutenant.

In my opinion, cops should start out at somewhere around 50-60K a year and from there, the salary should increase. 123K a year is something a lieutenant, in my opinion, could be making. But not your average field officer. What are your thoughts?

This is just concerning their pay. Their pensions and benefits are an entirely different matter.

Re: How much should cops be paid?

Enough that they can live and support a family in a reasonable level of comfort in the area where they work.

Let's look at it from the standpoint of what they could be making in private industry.

Most departments these days are requiring either a 2 year degree in Criminology, or a 4 year degree in whatever.

You must be physically able to pass the PT tests; learn to shoot to certain standards; attend several weeks of training at the Academy, and ongoing training forever; work under stressful and adverse conditions, dealing with danger and confrontation daily.

Sounds like they ought to be making what other educated and well-trained, versatile professionals are making in private industry, and that 50-100k is not unreasonable depending on experience/seniority/accomplishments and the cost of living in their area.

Fiddling While Rome Burns
ISIS: Carthago Delenda Est
"I used to roll the dice; see the fear in my enemies' eyes... listen as the crowd would sing, 'now the old king is dead, Long Live the King.'.."

Re: How much should cops be paid?

I just noticed that my arresting officer is paid $123,000 yearly. I thought this was way too much, but I'm sure many would disagree.

Given that law enforcement is the role of government, this issue is best decided by the taxpayers and not the market.

I believe cops should be generously paid, but not more than 100k a year. The arresting officer was a low-level grunt and not a supervisor or a lieutenant.

In my opinion, cops should start out at somewhere around 50-60K a year and from there, the salary should increase. 123K a year is something a lieutenant, in my opinion, could be making. But not your average field officer. What are your thoughts?

This is just concerning their pay. Their pensions and benefits are an entirely different matter.

dude, not to accuse you of being incorrect again but....I find it hard to believe that a traffic cop anywhere makes 123K

Re: How much should cops be paid?

In South Carolina, most cops make 20k-35k a year. Old vets and supervisors might make 40 or 50. I'll bet my paycheck there isn't a single cop in SC making 100k.

Average copper salary in SC is $49,000. Supervisory copper salary average $61,000. Most people would be absolutely amazed at the salaries of our police officers. Combine their salaries with some of the most generous pensions on the planet, and you'll find out why they stand in line to sign up. Police Officer Salary in South Carolina | Indeed.com